Stratford-upon-Avon: September 2020.

At the end of Stratford-upon-Avon’s high street lies Paul Foster’s restaurant, Salt. Inside the Tudor house, one can enjoy lunch before a play at the Royal Shakespeare Company or an indulgent evening tasting menu.

8 course tasting menu

1. Yorkshire grouse, blackberries, mushrooms, citrus crumb
2. Smoked duck egg yolk, lovage velouté, bacon, lime
3. Cured halibut, sweet & sour dill, grapes, cucumber, almonds
4. Carrot cooked in chicken fat, crispy chicken skin, pickled carrot
5. Beef tartare, beef fat mayo, artichoke crisps, truffle
6. Lamb, roasted cabbage, spiced onion chutney, labneh, mint
7. Raspberries, Tunworth (camembert from @hampshirecheeseco) cheesecake, shortbread
8. Alunga chocolate (milk chocolate from @cacaobarryofficial), miso ice cream, parsnip custard

The flavour combinations are simple but layered with elegance and technique. All ingredients are sourced locally (even the crockery!). Paul Foster knows how to play with textures and temperatures. All this shows well throughout the menu.

Our personal highlights: citrus crumb on the grouse, artichoke crisps, parsnip custard paired with Alunga chocolate.